PW's Picks For The Week

"Gathering Sparks"; Satellite Bowl; Unbridaled; Mütter 150 Celebration; Smoke, Lillies and Jade.

“Gathering Sparks”

Things are a little tense these days in Israel and Gaza, and Philadelphia Jews are responding with protests. But for a vision of ethnic harmony, check out the exquisite art of Siona Benjamin. Benjamin is from Mumbai, India, and her work summons familiar Indian art tropes: blue bodies in saris, women with long dark hair and large earrings. But then you notice one of Shiva’s hands is actually a menorah, and the calligraphy is rendered in Hebrew rather than Hindi. Much of Benjamin’s symbolism deals with death and violence—another day in the life of contemporary war-torn Middle East. But by merging disparate national and religious traditions, Benjamin shows peaceful coexistence can bring finely wrought results.

Satellite Bowl

Pop quiz: Do you know your way around a 7-10 split? And do you think Prop 8 is outrageous? Then put your bowling skills to good use when Lucky Strike donates 20 percent of profits to Mountain Meadow, an organization that helps the children of LGBTQ parents. When homophobic legislation gets you down, make like Walter and say, “Fuck it, Dude. Let’s go bowling.”

Unbridaled

Brides (and grooms) to be, listen up: If the thought of drowning in a sea of white tulle, butt bows and sequins makes you want to elope in Vegas, Unbridaled is here to help. This expo focuses on local, handmade, environmentally responsible and alternative solutions to wedding planning. Walking down the aisle in hemp might piss off your mom, but really, isn’t that half the fun?

Mütter 150 Celebration

Watching The Dark Knight I was struck by the inclusion of that old Batman standby—the Bruce Wayne-hosted posh soiree crashed by the costumed psycho and his henchfolk. Of course in proper 1960s pop-art TV Batman, this party would take place amid an exhibit of deranged surrealist art or ancient Egyptian artifacts or something equally weird and wonderful. In this respect I’ve always regretted that the Mütter isn’t fictional—the mutoid-gothic horror show of anatomical and pathological monstrosities and curiosities would make the

perfect backdrop for a Freudian smack-sock-pow fest. Celebrate the Mütter’s 150 years with a suitably mismatched “whimsical Victorian dinner” and a “super freak Disco Inferno.” You’ll have access to the 7-foot-6-inch skeleton and the rows of skulls, the conjoined-twin death cast and the diseased and enlarged organs—but you’ll have to bring your own vigilante vs. psycho fist-in-face action.

Smoke, Lilies and Jade

The Smoke, Lilies and Jade Arts Initiative, founded in 2004 by Zane Booker, is a dance theater production company designed to support Philadelphia’s African-American LGBT community and promote HIV/AIDS awareness. This Saturday they host their third annual studio performance and panel discussion. Different SLJ artists—including Michael Thomas, formerly of New York’s Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater—will address social issues through movement and spoken word. Following the performance, two prominent gay African-American doctors with expertise on HIV in urban black LGBT populations lead a panel discussion on black men’s health. Stop by and learn how you can be part of the solution.